Header for gasoline pumping systems



March 9, 1965 E. M. DETERs ETAI.

HEADER FOR GASOLINE PUMPING SYSTEMS 7 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Feb. 25, 1963 March 9, 1965 E. M. DETERs ETALl 3,172,567

HEADER FOR GASOLINE PUMPING SYSTEMS Filed Feb. 25, 1963 '7 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTORJ AJM BY M i' ATTYS March 9, 1965 E. M. DETl-:Rs ETAL 3,172,567

HEADER FOR GASOLINE PUMPING SYSTEMS Filed Feb. 25, 1963 '7 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR5 March 9, 1965 E. M. DETERs ETAL 3,172,557

HEADER FOR GASOLINE PUMPING SYSTEMS Filed Feb. 25, 1963 7 Sheets-Sheet 5 43 /2614 j 96'\ f l 162 146] m f 1721 f5 4 Tf 170 16 16 l. 148 /y il A* 150 16,2 16e f6? 4 j 176 .-/60 l 140 mi U34 A illl um] 7h INVENToRs R rwvv mw 150 #O BY? mgww, MJ; .Lma ATTYs March 9, 1965 E. M DETr-:Rs ETAL HEADER EOE GAsoLINE PUMPING sysTEMs 7 Sheets-Sheet 6 Filed Feb. 25, 1963 IN VE NTOR ma March 9, 1965 E. M. DETERs ETAL 3,172,567

HEADER FOR GASOLINE PUMPING SYSTEMS Filed Feb. 25, 196s 7 sheets-sheet '1 United States Patent 3,172,567 HEADER FOR GASOLEIE PUMPING SYSTEMS Elmer M. Deters and Joseph E. Youch, Davenport, Iowa, assignors to Red Sachet Manufacturing Co., Davenport, Iowa, a corporation of Iowa Filed Feb. 25, 1963, Ser. No. 260,471 22 Claims. (Cl. 222-52) This invention relates to improvements in liquid fuel dispensing apparatus of the type wherein a fuel, such as gasoline, is pumped under pressure from a supply tank, by a pump located in the tank, to one or more dispensing stands.

The present invention is adapted for but not limited to use in systems employing at least two underground storage tanks which are interconnected by a Siphon, whereby the liquid level of the tanks is equalized as the liquid is pumped out of one tank. The inventive concept includes the functional operation of an air eliminator, an expansion relief valve, and a siphon ejector, in a manner that provides great compactness so that a minimum of space is needed, as well as to provide an integrated assembly which affords economies in manufacture.

The apparatus of the invention will automatically operate to vent, or purge, air from the pump delivery line, which is not achieved by known apparatus of the prior art. With regard to the latter, it is the general practice to vent air only from the high point of the tank side of a line check valve chamber and consequently any air which might pass the check valve is carried to the dispenser and is metered therethrough as though it were liquid fuel. The invention provides means for pressure testing the system to check leakage, which means are arranged so that no gasoline, or a very restricted ow thereof, will be delivered to the dispensing nozzle after testing until certain steps are taken to .put the system back into working order. Another feature of the invention relates to the arrangement of .the siphon priming ejector in such manner that backow will automatically be reduced when the dispensing output attains a predetermined value, thus providing increased liquid flow for dispensing.

The main object of this invention is to provide improvements in liquid fuel dispensing apparatus of special utility in apparatus of the type wherein gasoline is pumped under pressure from a supply tank, by a pump located in the tank, to one or more dispensing stands.

A more specific object is to provide liquid fuel dispensing apparatus that combines .the functional aspects of an air eliminator, an expansion relief valve, and a Siphon ejector in a manner that provides great compactness so that a minimum of space is needed.

A further object of the invention is lto provide liquid fuel dispensing apparatus forming an integrated assembly which affords economies in manufacture.

Still another object is to provide liquid fuel dispensing apparatus which will automatically vent, or purge, air from the pump delivery line.

Another object is to provide means for pressure testing a liquid dispensing apparatus, which means are arranged so that no fuel or a very restricted How will be delivered to the dispensing nozzle after testing, until certain steps are taken to put the system -back into Working order.

A further object is to provide a siphon priming ejector arrangement in a liquid fuel dispensing system which will automatically reduce backow when the dispensing output attains a predetermined value, thus providing increased liquid flow for dispensing.

These and further objects and features of the invention will become more apparent from the following description and accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. l is a schematic illustration of a liquid fuel 3172,56? Patented Mar. 9, 1965 "ice storage and dispensing system embodying the principles of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a plan view of a header incorporating the principles of the invention and forming one embodiment thereof;

FIG. 3 isv a lsection View generally as seen from line 3-3 of FIG. 2;

FG. 4 is a section View generally as seen from line 4-4 in FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a plan View of a header incorporating the principles of the invention and forming another embodiment;

FIG. 6 is a section View generally as seen from line 6 6 in FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is Aa plan View of a header incorporating the principles of the invention and forming still another embodiment;

FIG. 8 is a section view generally Vas seen from line 8 8 in FIG. 7; and Y FIG. 9 is a section view generally as seen from line 9-9 in FIG. 7.

Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to FIG. 1, numeral 16 identities two of a plurality of gasoline dispensing stands, as used in an automotive service station. Each stand may include a check valve `1S and a safety valve 20 in a liquid fuel dispensing line 22, which terminates in a dispensing nozzle 24. The dispensing line 22 is connected to a header assembly 26 which is mounted atop a ltubular standard, or easing 28 threadedly secured to a storage tank 39 located underground. Liquid ll pipes 32 and 32' are arranged for supply of gasoline to each storage tank 30 and 30. Vent pipe 34, connected to a riser 36, vents each storage tank to atmosphere. An electrically operated submerged motor-pump 38, located in storage tank `3i), which should preferably be a centrifugal pump capable of producing at least about 20 p.s.i. under no flow conditions is operative to pump gasoline to the header assembly 26 I'through a delivery pipe 40. A siphon line 42, adapted to automatically equalize the liquid level in each storage tank, has a Siphon primer line 43 connected tto the header assembly, as shown. Electric circuit means are arranged between the pedestals and the motor-pump to start operation of the pump 38 as soon as a nozzle 24, served by said pump, is removed from its holding means on the dispensing stand, or a starting switch is thrown. `A portion of said circuit means, including electric conductors 44 extending through a conduit 45 passing down through pipe 40 is illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4.

The `arrangement described so far is, of course, well known to Ithose skilled in the art. The inventive concept concerns the structure and function of the header assembly 26, herein described and claimed, of which three embodiments are disclosed.

The rst embodiment 26a illustrated in FIGS. 2 to 4 inclusive, includes a lower housing portion 46, and an upper housing portion 48 removably afxed to the lower housing portion by bolt means 50. A flow control housing portion 52 is removably secured to the upper housing portion 48, while a cap or cover plate 54 is aixed to the top of the flow control housing, all as best seen in FIGS. 3 and 4. Gasoline pumped upwardly in delivery pipe 40, will enter a chamber 56 formed in the upper housing portion 48, past a check valve member 53, into a receiving chamber 60, and through a valve seat bushing 62, on into an outlet chamber 64 to which the fuel dispensing line 22 is connected. A threaded opening 66 is provided for receipt of a pressure testing line (not shown).

A valve seat bushing 6s is arranged between chambers 56 and 60, the upper edge of the bushing being arranged for the liquid tight seating of the check valve member 58. Toward this end, a conical spring 70 is compressively arranged between the upper surface of the valve member 58 and the ow control housing yportion S2. Operation of the pump 38, will develop pressure in the liquid being pumped from the storage tank 30, which will result in an unseating of the check valve member 58. A valve stern 72 atlixed to the valve member 58, is arranged to slide in a guide bushing 74 positioned in a bore 76 formed in the housing portion 52 and acts as a control means for the check valve 58. A manually operable presettable valve 78 includes a stem threadably mounted in the coverV plate 54, the lower end of the valve being arranged to engage the valve stern 72. By axial adjustment of the valve 78, the check valve member 58 may be urged into seating position upon the bushing 68. In such position of adjustment, the lower end of the valve 78, which includes a ring seal 80 arranged to snugly fit the bore 76, will prevent liquid from ilowing past the guide bushing 74 upwardly in bore 76 when the valve is in closed position. An enlarged portion 82 of the bore 76, is provided to allow ow of liquid past the ring seal 80, and into a passageway 84, when the valve 78 is in upward position of adjustment.

The passageway 84 leads to a circular recess 36 formed in the upper lsurface of the housing portion 52. The recess 86 is positioned in alignment with a conical recess 88 formedin the lower surface of the cover plate 54. A pressure responsive pressure relief valve, serving also as a backow control valve, includes a diaphragm 90 arranged between the cover plate 54 and the housing portion 52, said diaphragm separating the recesses 86 and I88. A plunger 92 is slidably arranged in a bore 94 formed in the cover plate 54, said plunger being urged into abutment against the diaphragm 90 by a compressively arranged spring 96.

A bore 98 is formed in the flow control housing portion, which bore is in axial alignment with the cover plate bore 94, as well as a bore 100 formed in the upper hous-k ing portion 48. A pipe 102 interconnects the `bore 100 with the inside of the tank 30, preferably terminating at a low point in the tank as indicated in FlG. 1. Positioned in the bore 93, and projecting a slight distance upwardly therefrom, is an ejector including a venturi nozzle piece 104, while a venturi throat piece 166 is arranged in the bores 98 and 100, said pieces 104 and 106 forming part of a venturi assemblage. A space 108 between the ends of the venturi piece 104 and piece 106, forming a low pressure area, is in communication with a passageway 110 which leads into a chamber 112 formed in the flow control housing portion 52. The recess 88 and the chamber 112 are interconnected by a passageway 114. A check valve 116 is threadedly ailixed to one end ofthe chamber 112, said check valve having a helical spring 118 adapted to allow opening of the valve when the pressure in chamber 112 decreases a predetermined amount below atmospheric. The Siphon priming line 43 is connected to the check valve 116. It will be seen that a liquid backflow circuit of limited flow capacity is thus formed by the bore 76, passageway 84, bore 9S, bore 100, and pipe 192.

The operation of the embodiment above described is as follows: Assume that the system is in operative condition with the lines filled with liquid and with the valve 78 in its upper position as shown in FIG. 3. At the end ofV the previous pumping operation liquid will have drained back from chamber 60 past the diaphragm 90 until the pressure in the line and in chamber 60 reached the operating pressure of the diaphragm 90, commonly in the region of p.s.i. at which time the diaphragm will have moved to closed position under action of the spring 96, the end of the nozzle 104 in this embodiment forming a valve seat for the diaphragm. Therefore, as soon as the motor pump 38 is energized by actuation of a switch at the pedestal, but a moment is required to raise the fluid pressure in the pipe 40 to open valve member 58 and bring the pressure in chamber 60 and recess 86 to a 4point at which the diaphragm is opened permitting flow in the backflow circuit. When the pump starts, any air in the pipe 40 and chamber 56 will be pushed up ahead of the liquid and in that event, the first fluid entering chamber 60 will be gas rather than liquid. At this time, the line 22 and the chamber 64 are filled with static liquid and the chamber 60 is normally filled or substantially lled with liquid and any gas entering chamber 60 gravitates to the top of the chamber 60 and into recess 86 from which it passes through the ejector back to the tank 30. The capacity of the pump is high relative to the volume of the pipe 40 and consequently the gas will be expelled into chamber 60 almost instantaneously. Likewise, the flow capacity of the backfiow circuit, while restricted to limit the flow of liquid permits rapid flow of gas. Consequently, the gas is completely expelled from the pipe 40 and the chamber 60 and liquid ilow is established through the venturi in less time than required for the operator to insert the pedestal nozzle into the filler Vpipe of an automobile to be served.

When the pedestal nozzle is opened by the operator a divided flow of liquid occurs in the chamber 60, the main flow being to chamber 64 and thence through the line 22 to the pedestal and a minor flow being through the backllow circuit, the capacity being adequate to maintain the required pressures and ow under normal operating conditions.

Flow of liquid through the venturi 194, 106 will develop reduced pressure in the chamber 112. Such a condition results in a decrease in pressure in the recess 88 by way of passage 114, thus producing further upward movement of the diaphragm 90, and also causing opening of the check valve 116 to expose the Siphon pipe 42 to reduced pressure, via the line 43, resulting in priming of the Siphon so that the liquid level in the two tanks 30 will be equalized. A further function of the passage 114 is to connect the recess S8 back to the tank 30 to provide a return llow of liquid back to the tank in the event of diaphragm rupture.

As soon as the dispensing nozzle 24 is opened, gasoline will flow through the dispensing line 22 and liquid pressure in the line 22 and ichamber 86 will decrease. As.

1a result, differential pressure on the diaphragm 90 will decrease causing the diaphragm lto move closer to t-he venltur-i nozzle 104. In event that gasoline `is being simultaneously dispensed from a number of dispensing nozzles being supplied by the same delivery line 22, the pressure in the recess 86 may ydecrease to such extent that the diaphragm will engage the venturi nozzle 1li-4, shutting ot backllow of gasoline to the storage tank, and allowing the full quantity olf gasoline being pumped, to be dispensed by the nozzles 24. Upon completion of a pumping operation, the spring 70 will close check valve member 58 andv the pressure in the dispensing line and chamber 60 will e-crease until the diaphragm 90 closes.

The expansion relief valve i.e., diaphragm and associated parts, serves the function of allowing pressure lrelease of the gasoline Atrapped in line 22 due to thermal expansion. Toward this end it will be seen that the diaphragm 90 will be lifted off the seat formed by the venturi nozzle 104 when the fluid pressure thereagainst exceeds the compressive force of the spring 96, which pressure, while not critical, is commonly set to be in the region of `approximately 15 p.s.i. In such manner, the system is protected against damage which could occur under such conditions if the expansion relief valve was not provided.

Many city codes require that the pipeline from the header to the dispensers be pressure tested for leaks, with testing pressures in the range of 50 to 100 p.s.i. and some require that the tanks be pressure tested in the range of l() to 25 p.s.i. The structure heretofore described provides means to close the parts and passages in the header necessary to accomplish such testing and to insure that such parts and passages are again reopened to restore the system to proper operating condition. Accordingly, when the line 22 and the header lconnections are to be tested by the application of pressure thereto through the opening 66 for example, the plug 78 is screwed down so that ring seal Si) will engage the sides of bore 76 to prevent iiow in the bacltflow circuit. Since the check valve member 58 closes in the direction of the pressure thus applied this would be adequate `for testing the lines. However, the structure has been so arranged that its operation brings about several additional results. When the plug 73 is screwed down the lower end thereof, subsequent to sealing the passage in the bore 7 6, engages the end of stem 72 facing the valve member 58 against the seat and preventing unseating thereof. It will therefore be apparent that pressure may be applied to the tank, to effect testing thereof since the valve member 53 will be held closed against the pressure, the valve member S2 is closed and the check valve 116 closes in the direction of the pressure. It will also be observed that in the absence of this arrangement, should the operator forget or neglect backing off the screw 78 after pressure testing the line, the operator might Jwell be unaware of the condition until undesirable and possibly serious complications arose. In that event, the pressure relief function would be absent resulting in the potential danger of blowing gaskets or piping; the air elimination function would be absent resulting in the possible delivery of air through the dispensing nozzle and the siphon function would be absent resulting in the pump tank 39 going dry while an ample reserve would still be present in the reserve tank 39. Therefore, a further result produced by the structure described is that the system is rendered wholly inoperative upon failure to return the screw 7S to its retracted position so that the operator is immediately aware of the deficiency and -must correct the same before any dispensing at the pedestal is possible. Furthermore, the single act of retracting the screw 78 ef- 4fects all operations necessary to render the system operative in all of its functions.

While the relief valve is arranged to include a diaphragm 9i), it is apparent that other forms, such asa bellows type construction (not shown), may be employed with equal effect. In any event, it will be seen that when dispensing is completed and the system is not in operation, the diaphragm 90 will function under the force of spring $6 to prevent the backiiow of gasoline from delivery pipe 22 to the tank by way of pipe 102 beyond that required to reduce the pressure in the delivery pipe be- 1ow the elo-sing pressure off the diaphragm.

A modified form of header assembly 26h, embodying certain principles of the invention, is shown in FIGS. and 6. The assembly 26h, with regard to the claimed subject matter thereof, differs from the header assembly 26a primarily in the -means by which pressure testing is accomplished.

An upper housing portion 130, is adapted to iit atop a lower housing portion identical `with the lower housing portion 46 except for suchminor `changes in dimensions which may be required to receive the upper housing portion 139 of header assembly 26h. The upper housing portion `13) includes a chamber 132 which receives fluid pumped upward through delivery pipe 'from a storage tank 30. A check valve ymember 134 is adapted to sea-t, in liquid tight manner, upon a lower valve seat bush-ing 136. The valve member 134 slides upon a guide pin 138, and is urged toward seating position by a conical spring 1443 compressively arranged between the check valve member and an upper valve seat bushing 142. Gasoline passing check Valve 134 enters a receiving chamber 144, from where it flows into a chamber such as the chamber 64 and thence to dispensing line 22 as shown in FIG. 4 located at a lower level than chamber 144. T'ne valve seat bushing 142 is aflxed to a valve housing `146, formed with a cavity 14S from which a plurality of radial passageways 150 extend. A pressure responsive pressure relief valve, serving also as a 'backfiow control valve, is provided in the form of a pop-pet type valve member 152, adapted to seat upon an edge of the valve seat bushing 142. A valve stem 154, atiixed to and extending above the Valve member 152, is slidingly arranged in 'a guide .piece 156 positioned in a bore 158. Extending downwardly from the valve member 152, is a projection which terminates a short distance above the check valve member '134. A set screw 162, supported in the valve housing 146 in axial align-ment with the valve stern 154, may be turned to engage the valve stem so that the projection 161i will force the check valve 134 into liquid tight seating upon or at least into close proximity with the bushing 136. A spring 164 is compressively Iarranged between the valve member 152 and the upper surface of the cavity 148 to urge the valve member 152 toward seated engagement upon the bushing 142.

Extending about the valve housing 146, and in alignment with radial passageways 159, is a recess 16S formed in the housing portion 130, which recess is connected to a cavity by a passageway 172. A venturi assemblage is provided which includes a sleeve portion 174, and a nozzle piece 176, said sleeve portion being arranged in part within the cavity 17?, and in a bore 178. A pipe analogous to pipe 102 interconnects the bore 178 with the interior of tank 30 as indicated in FIG. 1. The lower end of the nozzle piece 176 extends into the interior of the lower part of the sleeve portion 174. A plurality of radially arranged holes 182 interconnect the interior of the cavity 170 with the region surrounding the lower portion of the nozzle piece 176. It will be seen that liquid flow through holes 182 from the passageway 172 will induce reduced pressure in a chamber 184 Within the sleeve portion 174 directly above the nozzle piece 176. A check valve 186 is threadedly affixed to one end of the chamber 184, said check valve having a helical spring 183 adapted to allow opening of the valve when the pressure in chamber 134 decreases to a predetermined amount. The line 143 is connected to the check Valve `136. A liquid bacldiow circuit is formed by the cavity 143, recess 16S, cavity 179, holes 132, bore 17S and pipe 180.

Operation of the header assembly 26h is as follows. Assuming that the movable parts are in position as shown in FIG. 6, as soon as one of the dispensing nozzles 24 is lifted from its holding means on a dispensing stand and the motor-pump 38 energized, the pump will start delivery of iluid up through delivery pipe 40 and into housing chamber 132. When delivery pressure of the fluid in chamber 132 reaches the relatively low opening pressure of check valve member 134, the valve member 134 will open permitting flow to chamber 144 raising the pressure in chamber 144 above the opening pressure of valve member 152 (conveniently in the region of 15 p.s.i.) whereupon uid flow will occur past valve member 152 and through the restricted backflow circuit, the capacity of the pump being sufficient to maintain the pressure in chamber 144 above the opening pressure of Valve member 152. Any gas which may have accumulated in the pipe 40, or the chambers 132 and 144 will thus be expelled through the backilow circuit prior to the time required for the operator to start dispensing from the pedestal nozzle. Upon the passage of liquid through the backow circuit, a sub-atmospheric pressure will be induced in the chamber 184 causing an opening of the check valve 186, thus exposing the Siphon pipe 42 to sub-atmospheric pressure, via the line 43, resulting in operation of the Siphon arrangement so that the liquid level in the two tanks 3i) will be equalized.

If more than one dispensing nozzle, supplied by a given pump, are simultaneously being used for dispensing gasoline, the pressure in chamber 144 may decrease to the point wherein spring 164 will be effective to seat the valve 152. Backiiow of gasoline to the storage tank 30 will thus be terminated, and the entire quantity of gasoline being pumped, will be delivered by the dispensing nozzles.

It will be seen that the valve member 152 will be unseated when pressure in the dispensing line 22 increases beyond a certain amount `due to thermal expansion. Under such condition, liquid in the dispensing line will return to the storage tank via the venturi assemblage and the backilow pipe 186 until the pressure in the dispensing line drops'to the preset closing pressure of the valve member 152. In this embodiment, the structure is also such as to permit pressure testing of both the tank and the dispensing line 22.Y In testing the line, the set screw 162 is turned down so that valve member 152 is pressed into fixed seating engagement on the bushing 142. When test fluid is introduced into the chamber 144 through a suitable opening such as that shown at 66 in FIG. 4 passage of uid to cavity 14S is prevented by valve member 152 and passage to chamber 132 is prevented by a check valve member 134. It will be noted that in the event that the operator should fail to back off the screw 162 after testing the line, the backflow circuit would remain shut off during subsequent use of the system as a result of which the air elimination function, the siphon priming function and the pressure relief function would be inoperative. However, the projection 166 prevents such oversight because when the valve member 152 is held closed by screw 162, the end of projection 161) will be at or closely spaced above the check valve member 134 'to prevent or restrict opening of the valve member. Consequently, upon any attempt to dispense from the pedestal nozzle, there will be at best only a very restricted ow fromY the nozzle thus compelling the operator to return the system to proper operating condition. Y

Another modified form of header assembly 26e, embodying some of the features of the invention, is shown in FIGS. 7 to 9 inclusive. The assembly 26e incorporates important features associated with embodiments 26a and 26h, except that no means are provided to prevent gasoline dispensing in event certain parts are not returned to original position after the system is pressure tested, as in the case of the other two embodiments.

An upper housing 200 is adapted for attachment to a lower housing 262 to which the casing 2S is threadedly secured. Delivery pipe 4t) is arranged for delivery of gasoline into a chamber 264 formed in the upper housing 200. A check valve member 206 regulates flow of gasoline between chamber 204- and receiving chamber 29S, said valve being spring loaded to insure closing. Gasoline in chamber 208 passes port 216 and enters chamber'212 formed in part in the upper and lower housings and located at a level substantially below the upper portion of chamber 208, and then passes into the dispensing line 22. A passageway 223 extends from the high 'point of the chamber 208 into a conical recess 21S formed in the upper surface of the housing portion 290. A cap, or cover plate 224), secured to the upper portion 200, has a conical recess 222 of similar conliguration to conical recess 218, and in axial alignment therewith. A pressure relief valve, serving also as a backflow control valve, includes a diaphragm 224 arranged between the cover plate 229 and the upper housing 201B, said diaphragm separating the recesses 21S and 222. A plunger 226 is slidably arranged in a bore 228 formed in the cover plate 220, and a spring 236 urges the plunger against the diaphragm to move the same into seating engagement with 'the end of a venturi nozzle piece 234. The compressive force of the spring is selected to permit movement of the diaphragm, away from the nozzle when the fluid pressure below the diaphragm exceeds a preselected value, commonly about l5 p.s.i.

A venturi assemblage is arranged in a bore 232 formed in the upper housing 26d, said assemblage including 1the nozzle piece 234 and a throat piece 236 in axial spaced alignment with the nozzle piece. Connected to the lower end of the bore 232 is a pipe 238 which interconnects the bore with the interior of the tank 30. A passageway 249 connects the space between the nozzle 234 and the throat 236, with a cavity 242 having a check valve 244 threada ably secured to the end thereof. The check valve 244 is adapted to open the cavity 242 to the siphon priming line 3 when the pressure in the cavity 242 is reduced to a predetermined value.

The cavity 222, above the diaphragm 224, is interconnected with the suction inlet of the venturi by a passageway 246. Mounted in the cover plate 220, is a set screw 248 which is adjustable tol urge the diaphragm against the top of the nozzle 234 to cut off flow of liuid from the cavity 218, through the venturi assemblage. It will be seen that a liquid backlow circuit is provided by the passageway 223, recess 218, bore 232 and pipe 238.

Operation of the header assembly 26C is as follows. Assuming that the movable parts are as shown in FIG. 8, pump operation will normally be started when a nozzle 24 is lifted from its holding means on the dispensing stand. Fluid, under pressure will be delivered upwardly in delivery pipe 4t) into the chamber 204. Check valve 266 will be unseated and fluid will flow into chamber 263. Simultaneously, air or gasoline will ilow through the passageway 223 into recess 218 and move the diaphragm 224 from seated engagement upon the end of venturi end piece 234. The air or gasoline will then ilow through the venturi assemblage and into bore 232, and back to the storage tank via pipe 23S. A reduced pressure will thus be created in the cavity 242, causing opening of the check valve 244, and a venting of Siphon line 42, by way of line 43, to effect operation of the Siphon system. Since the time required for the attendant to open the dispensing nozzle 24 will normally be greater than that required for the above condition to be established, any air in the system between the pump and chamber 208 will be purged therefrom.

lt will be seen that the venturi assemblage will function, by way of passage 246, to reduce the pressure in the recess 222, causing further upward movement of the diaphragm 224, thus allowing greater liquid flow through the venturi assemblage, and further reduction of pressure in the cavity to more completely vent the siphon line 42, also any leakage through the diaphragm will be conducted back to the tank through passage 246.

Should more than one dispensing nozzle 24, served by the same pump, be used simultaneously, the pressure in chamber 20d may drop and at its preselected pressure, the diaphragm 224 will seat, thereby shutting off ow of liquid to the bore 232. Accordingly, the full quantity of gasoline being supplied by the pump, will be available for dispensing at the nozzles 24.

When it is desired to pressure test the line, the set screw 248 is turned to cause the plunger 226 to seat the diaphragm atop the venturi nozzle piece 234, thus preventing leakage through the backflow circuit ofthe header. The set screw 24S should, of course, be returned to initial position after pressure testing so that the air eliminator, expansion relief, and Siphon priming ejector features of the assembly will be in working order. It will be observed that should the operator fail to reopen the manually operable valve in the header and attempt to operate the system, serious consequences might result since the pressures in the dispensing line might rise to a serious point. Also air might well be pumped and metered with the gasoline and the siphone would fail to function. Therefore in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 3 and 6, means are provided to prevent or substantially prevent the opening of the check valve so that the dispensing would be either prevented or serious impaired. Therefore in the claims where reference is made to restricting the flow of liquid the term is meant to include either complete prevention of flow or substantial and material reduction in flow sufficient to apprise the operator that the manually operated test valve has not been opened.

In all three embodiments 26a, 2611 and 26C, it will be notedthat the gasoline receiving chambers 60, 144 and 208 respectively, are at a high point in the liquid dispensing circuit Vso that air in the dispensing line 22 and air in the delivery pipe 45 may collect in said chambers during non-operation of the dispensing nozzles 24; thus the air eliminator feature of the invention will facilitate venting of such accumulated air.

The foregoing description has been given in detail without thought of limitation since the inventive principles involved are capable of assuming other forms without departing from the sph'it of the invention or the scope of the following claims.

We claim:

1. In a dispensing system including a storage tank and a pump located in the storage tank for pumping iiuid from the tank under pressure through a dispensing line to a dispensing valve; a header having a casing and a pressure chamber, an inlet for connecting the pressure chamber to the pump, an outlet for connection to the dispensing line disposed below the upper level of the pressure chamber to provide an elevated chamber portion for the reception and temporary retention of gas above the level of the outlet, a check valve disposed between the inlet and the pressure chamber, a backow circuit by-passing the check valve having its entrance opening into a high point in said chamber above the level of the outlet and its exit arranged to discharge iiuid back to the tank to vent uid from the pressure chamber, and a pressure responsive pressure relief valve controlling ilow through the backiiow circuit operative to open when the pressure in the chamber reaches a preselected value below full pump discharge pressure.

2. In a dispensing system including a storage tank and a pump located in the storage tank for pumping uid from the tank under pressure through a dispensing line to a dispensing valve; a header having a casing and a pressure chamber, an inlet for connecting the pressure chamber to the pump, an outlet for connection to the dispensing line disposed below the upper level of the pressure chamber to provide an elevated chamber portion for the reception and temporary retention of gas above the level of the outlet, a check valve disposed between the inlet and the pressure chamber, a backow circuit by-passing the check valve having its entrance opening into a high point in said chamber above the level of the outlet and its exit arranged to discharge fluid back to the tank to vent fluid from the pressure chamber, and a valve in said backiiow circuit responsive to the pressure in said backflow circuit to open when the pressure rises above a preselected value that is intermediate tank pressure and full pump discharge pressure to vent fluid back to the tank during normal pumping operations and to close when the pressure in the circuit falls below said preselected value to thereby prevent draining of all of the iiuid from the dispensing line when the pump is stopped.

3. In a dispensing system including a storage tank and a pump located in the storage tank for pumping fluid from the tank under pressure through a dispensing line to a dispensing valve; a header having a casing, a pressure chamber, an inlet for connecting the pressure chamber to the pump, an outlet for connecting to the dispensing line, a check valve disposed to prevent return iiow of iiuid from the pressure chamber through the inlet, a backow circuit by-passing the check valve having an entrance connected to the pressure chamber and an exit positioned to discharge fluid back to the tank to vent iluid from the pressure chamber, a valve means interposed in the backiiow circuit controlling flow therethrough having a valve seat, a pressure responsive valve member having a pressure responsive portion thereof subject to the pressure of the uid in the pressure chamber for moving the valve member away from said seat when the pressure rises to a preselected value that is intermediate tank pressure and full pump discharge pressure, and means for biasing the valve member toward said seat to close said valve when the pressure in said chamber falls below said preselected value to prevent draining of all of the tiuid from the delivery line when the pump is stopped.

4. In a dispensing system including a storage tank and a pump located in the storage tank for pumping uid from the tank under pressure through a dispensing line to a dispensing valve; a header having a casing, a pressure chamber, an inlet for connecting the pressure chamber to the pump, an outlet for connection to the dispensing line, a check valve disposed to prevent return iiow of iiuid from the pressure chamber through the inlet, a backow circuit by-passing the check valve having an entrance connected to the pressure chamber and an exit positioned to discharge fluid back to the tank to vent iiuid from the pressure chamber, an ejector in said backflow circuit interposed in the ow of huid from the pressure chamber to produce a low pressure area in the backfiow circuit in response to iiow of Huid therethrough, valve means in the backiiow circuit controlling ow therethrough including a valve seat and a pressure responsive valve member having a first pressure responsive area subject to the pressure of the iiuid in the pressure chamber, in a direction to move the valve member away from said seat, said valve member having a second pressure responsive area segregated from said first area, a passage for communicating said low pressure area with said second pressure responsive area to subject the same to a pressure in a direction to move the valve member away from the seat in response to fluid flow through the ejector, and means for biasing the valve member in a direction toward said seat.

5. For use in a dispensing system wherein liquid is delivered from a pump located in a storage tank through a dispensing line to a dispensing valve; a header having a casing, a pressure chamber, an inlet for connecting the pressure chamber to the pump, an outlet for connection to the dispensing line, a check valve disposed to prevent return flovv of liuid from the pressure chamber through the inlet, a backflovv circuit by-passing the check valve having an entrance connected to the pressure chamber, an exit positioned to discharge uid back to the tank to vent fluid from the pressure chamber, and a valve chamber intermediate the entrance and exit of the backiiow circuit, an ejector in said backflow circuit interposed in the flow of iuid from the pressure chamber to produce a low pressure area in the backtiow circuit in response to iioW of iiuid therethrough, a valve seat at said valve chamber, a valve member in said valve chamber having a flexible diaphragm spanning said valve chamber having one side thereof subject to the pressure in said pressure chamber in a direction for moving the valve member away from said seat, a passage for communicating said 10W pressure area with the opposite side of said diaphragm to facilitate movement of the valve member away from the seat, and means for biasing the valve member toward said seat.

6. The combination of claim 5 wherein said valve seat is formed by a portion of the ejector and said biasing means comprises a spring mounted to urge said valve member toward said seat in opposition to the uid pressures exerted thereagainst.

7. The combination of claim 5 wherein said casing has an ejector inlet connected to said passage and a check valve controlling ow through said ejector inlet positioned to open in response to the presence of reduced pressure at said low pressure area.

8. For use in a dispensing system wherein liquid is delivered from a pump located in a storage tank through a dispensing line to a dispensing valve; a header including a casing having a iiow passage therethrough including a pressure chamber, an inlet for connecting the pressure chamber to the pump and an outlet for connection to the dispensing line, a check valve positioned to prevent backow through the inlet, a backow circuit having its entrance opening into said flow passage and its exit arranged to discharge uid back to the tank to vent fluid from the passage, and manually operable means presettable to a closed position to prevent flow of uid through the backflow circuit and to hold said check valve closed to permit pressure testing the dispensing line and to prevent subsequent ilow of fluid through said passage to the outlet while said backtlow circuit is closed.

9. For use in a dispensing system wherein liquid is delivered from a pump located in a storage tank through a dispensing line to a dispensing valve; a header having a casing and a pressure chamber, an inlet for connecting the pressure chamber to the pump, an outlet for connection to the dispensing line, a check valve positioned to prevent backliow through the inlet, a backflow circuit bypassing the check valve having its entrance opening into said chamber and its exit arranged to discharge huid back to the tank to vent uid from the pressure chamber, a pressure responsive valve controlling ilow through the backiiow circuit, and manually operable means presettable to prevent flow of fluid through the backow circuit and through the inlet of said pressure chamber, to enable pressure testing of the tank and lines.

10. For use in a dispensing system wherein liquid is delivered from a pump located in a storage tank through a dispensing line to a dispensing valve; a header having a casing and a pressure chamber, an inlet ror connecting the pressure chamber to the pump, an outlet for connection to the dispensing line, a check valve positioned to prevent backflow through the inlet, a backow circuit bypassing the check valve having its entrance opening into said pressure chamber and its exit arranged to discharge iiuid back to the tank to vent iluid from the pressure chamber, a pressure responsive valve controlling ow through the backflow circuit, manually operable means presettable to prevent return flow of fluid through said backflow circuit to permit pressure testing of the dispensing line, said manually operable means including control means operable in response to setting of said manually operable means for substantially preventing flow or uid through said inlet into said pressure chamber and through said outlet.

Y ll. The combination of claim 10 wherein said control means comprises stop means movable into proximity with said check valve in response to presetting of said manually operable means to restrict ow of fluid past the check valve.

12. For use in a dispensing system wherein liquid is delivered from a pump located in a storage tank through a dispensing line to a dispensing valve; a header having a casing and a pressure chamber, an inlet for connecting the pressure chamber to the pump, an outlet for connection to the dispensing line, a check valve positioned to prevent backflow through the inlet, a backow circuit bypassing the check valve having an entrance opening into a high point in said chamber above the level of the outlet and an exit arranged to discharge iiuid back to the tank to vent fluid from the pressure chamber, a pressure responsive valve controlling ow through the backow circuit, a manually operable valve in said backfiow circuit presettable to a position to prevent ow therethrough, and control means interposed between said manually operable valve and said check valve for holding the check valve at least in substantial closed position when the manually operable valve occupies said preset position.

13. The combination of claim 12 wherein said manually operable valve is located in the backtlow circuit between said pressure responsive valve and said pressure chamber.

14. For use in a. dispensing system wherein liquid is delivered from a pump located in a storage tank through a dispensing line to a dispensing valve; a header having a casing and a pressure chamber, anV inlet for connecting the pressure chamber to the pump, an outlet for connection to the dispensing line disposed below the upper level of the pressure chamber to provide an elevated chamber portion for the reception and temporary retention of gas above the level of the outlet, a check valve positioned to prevent backflow through the inlet, a backflow circuit by-passing the check valve having its entrance opening into a high point in said chamber above the level of the outlet and its exit arranged to discharge tluid back to the tank to vent uid from the pressure chamber, a pressure responsive valve controlling ow through the backflow circuit, a manually operable valve in said backfiow circuit presettable to a position to prevent llow therethrough, and control means acting between said manually operable valve and said check valve for retaining said check valve in a position to restrict ow through said inlet.

15. For use in a dispensing system wherein liquid is delivered from a pump located in a storage tank through a dispensing line to a dispensing valve; a header having a casing and a pressure chamber, an inlet for connecting the pressure chamber to the pump, an outlet for connection to the dispensing line disposed below the upper level ofthe pressure chamber to provide an elevated chamber portion for the reception and temporary retention of gas above the level ot the outlet, a check valve positioned to prevent backflow through the inlet and the pressure chamber, a backliow circuit by-passing the check valve having its entrance opening into a high point in said chamber above the level of the outlet and its exit arranged to discharge duid back to the tank to vent tluid from the pressure chamber, and a pressure responsive pressure relief valve controlling flow through the backow circuit, an ejector in said backilow circuit interposed in the flow of fluid from said pressure chamber and positioned between said pressure responsive valve and said exit to produce a low pressure area in the backtlow circuit in response to flow of fluid therethrough, said casing having an ejector inlet connected to said low pressure area, and a check valve controlling flow through said ejector inlet positioned to open in response to the presence of reduced pressure at said low pressure area.

16. For use in a dispensing system wherein liquid is delivered from a pump located in a storage tank through a dispensing line to a dispensing valve; a header having a casing and a pressure chamber, an inlet for connecting the pressure chamber to the pump, an outlet for connection to the dispensing line disposed below the upper level ot the pressure chamber to provide an elevated chamber portion for the reception and temporary retention of gas above the level of the outlet, a check valve positioned to prevent backow through the inlet, a backflow circuit by-passing the check valve having its entrance opening into a high point in said chamber above the level of the outlet and its exit arranged to discharge fluid back to the tank to vent liuid from the pressure chamber, a pressure responsive pressure relief valve controlling ow through the backflow circuit, a manually operable valve in said backllow circuit positioned between said pressure relief valve and said pressure chamber presettable to a position to prevent ow therethrough, control means acting between said manually operable valve and said check valve Vfor retaining said check valve in a position to restrict flow through said inlet, an ejector in said backliow circuit interposed in the flow ot uid from said pressure chamber and positioned between said pressure responsive valve and said exit to produce a low pressure area in said backow circuit in response to flow therethrough, a passage in said casing between said low pressure area and said pressure responsive valve to transmit reduced pressure thereto in a direction to open the same, an inlet cornmunicating with said passage and a check valve controlling ow through said inlet positioned to open in response to the presence of reduced pressure at said low pressure area.

17. In a dispensing system including a pump adapted to be located in a storage tank for pumping iluid from a tank under pressure through a dispensing line to a dispensing valve, a header including a casing leaving a flow passage therethrough and an inlet for connecting the tlow passage to the pump .and an outlet for connection to the dispensing line, a backow circuit having its entrance opening into said flow passage and its exit arranged to discharge lluid back to the tank to vent fluid from the passage, and manually operable means on the header presettable to a closed position for preventing ow through said backilow circuit to permit pressure testing of the system, said manually operable means including means operative in response to presetting of said manually operable means to its closed position for restricting full flow through said tlow passage to impede dispensing of fluid when the ow passage is closed.

18. In a dispensing system including a pump adapted to be located in a storage tank for pumping fluid from a tank under pressure through a dispensing line to a dispensing valve, a header including a casing having a ow passage therethrough and an inlet for connecting the flow passage to the pump and an outlet for connection to the dispensing line, a check -valve in the flow passage separating the same into an inlet section and an outlet section and operable to open for tlow from the inlet section to the outlet section and to close to prevent return ow, passage means communicating with said outlet section of said ow passage and having a pressure responsive pressure relief valve therein operative to open when the pressure in the ilow passage exceeds a preselected value, and manually operable means on the header presettable to a closed position for preventing flow through said passage means for pressure testing of the dispensing line, said manually operable means including means operative in response to presetting of said manually operable means to its closed position for restricting full ilow through said ow passage to impede dispensing of fluid when the passage means is closed.

19. In .a dispensing system including a pump adapted to be located in a storage tank for pumping iluid from the tank under pressure through a dispensing line to a dispensing valve, a header including a casing having a ow passage therethrough and an inlet for connecting the ow passage to the pump and an outlet for connection to the dispensing line, a check valve in the flow passage separating the same into an inlet section and an outlet section and operable to open for ow from the inlet section to the outlet section and to close to prevent return iow, passage means communicating with said outlet section of said flow passage and having a pressure responsive pressure relief valve therein operative to open when the pressure in the flow passage exceeds a preselected value, and manually operable means on the header presettable to a closed position for preventing flow through said passage means for pressure testing of the dispensing line, said manually operable means including means operative in response to presetting of said manually operable means to its closed position, for locking said check valve against full opening movement to restrict subsequent ow of fluid through said flow passage and thereby impede dispersing of iluid when the ilow passage is closed.

20. In a dispensing system including a storage tank and a pump located in the storage tank for pumping fluid from the tank under pressure through a dispensing line to a dispensing valve, a header including a casing having a ow passage therethrough including a pressure chamber, said casing having .an inlet connecting the ow passage to the pump and an outlet for connecting the ow passage to the dispensing line, a check valve positioned to prevent backtlow from the low passage through the inlet, a backow circuit having its entrance opening into said pressure chamber aand its exit arranged to discharge uid back to the tank to vent iiuid from the chamber, a pressure responsive valve means controlling flow through the backiloW circuit operative to open when the pressure in the chamber rises above a preselected upper value below full pump discharge pressure to vent uid back to the tank and to close when the pressure in the chamber drops to prevent draining of all of the fluid from the dispensing line when the pump is stopped, and manually operable means on the header presettable .to a closed position to prevent tlow through said backllow circuit to permit pressure testing of the dispensing line.

2l. ln a dispensing system including a storage tank and a pump located in the storage tank for pumping fluid from the tank under pressure through a dispensing line to a dispensing valve, a header including a casing having a flow passage therethrough including a pressure chamber, said casing having an inlet connecting the llow passage to the pump and an outlet for connecting the loW passage to the dispensing line, a check valve positioned to prevent backilow from the flow passage through the inlet, a backilow circuit having its entrance opening into said pressure chamber Vand its exit arranged to discharge iluid back to the tank to vent iluid from the chamber, a pressure responsive valve means controlling flow through the backflow circuit operative to open when the pressure in the chamber rises above a preselected upper valve below full pump discharge pressure to vent fluid back to the tank and to close when the pressure in the chamber drops to prevent draining of al1 of the uid from the dispensing line when thepump is stopped, and manually operable means presettable to a closed position for preventing flow of iluid through the backow circuit for pressure testing of the dispensing line, said manually operable means including means operative in response to presetting of said manually operable means to its closed position for restricting full flow through the llow passage to impede dispensing of iluid when the backflow circuit is closed.

22. In a dispensing system including a storage tank and a pump located in the storage tank for pumping fluid from the tank under pressure through a dispensing line to a dispensing valve, a header including a casing having a ow passage therethrough including a pressure charnber, said casing having an inlet connecting the flow passage to the pump and an outlet for connecting the flow passage to the dispensing line, a check valve positioned to prevent backilow from the ow passage through the inlet, a backlow circuit having its entrance opening into said pressure chamber and its exit arranged to discharge fluid back to the tank to vent fluid from the chamber, a pressure responsive valve means controlling flow through the backiow circuit operative to open when the pressure in the chamber rises above a preselected upper value below full pump discharge pressure to vent iluid back to .the tank and to close when the pressure in the chamber drops to prevent draining of all of the fluid from the dispensing line when the pump is stopped, and manually operable means presettable to a closed position for preventing flow of iluid through said backflow circuit to permit pressure testing of the dispensing line, said manually operable means including means for locking the cheek valve against full opening movement when the manually operable means is in its closed position to restrict subsequent flow of fluid from the pump through the charnber to the outlet while the backllow circuit is closed.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,385,105 9/45 Samelson 103-102 2,435,470 2/48 Samelson 103--102 3,020,849 2/62 Reynolds 103-87 3,070,121 12/62 Brian 137-523 LOUIS I. DEMBO, Primary Examiner.

RAPHAEL M. LUPO, Examiner.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE 0E CURRECTICN Patent No. 3,172,567 March 9, 1965 Elmer M. Deters et a1.

rror appears in the above numbered pat- 1t is hereby certified that e the said Letters Patent should read as ent requiring correction and that corrected below.

Column 9, line 58, for "Connecting" read connection column 9, lines 74 and 75, fof "delivery" read dispensing column 13, 1ine 11, for "a", second occurrence, read the Column 14, line Z2, fof "valve" Tead value Signed and sealed this 27th day of July 1965n (SEAL) fttest:

EDWARD J. BRENNER ERNEST W. SWIDER Attesting Officer Commissioner of Patents 

1. IN A DISPENSING SYSTEM INCLUDING A STRORAGE TANK AND A PUMP LOCATED IN THE STORAGE TANK FOR PUMPING FLUID FROM THE TANK UNDER PRESSURE THROUGH A DISPENSING LINE TO A DISPENSING VALVE; A HEADER HAVING A CASING AND A PRESSURE CHAMBER, AN INLET FOR CONNECTING THE PRESSURE CHAMBER TO THE PUMP, AN OUTLET FOR CONNECTION TO THE DISPENSING LINE DISPOSED BELOW THE UPPER LEVEL OF THE PRESSURE CHAMBER TO PROVIDE AN ELEVATED CHAMBER PORTION FOR THE RECEPTION AND TEMPORARY RETENTION OF GAS ABOVE THE LEVEL OF THE OUTLET, A CHECK VALVE DISPOSED BETWEEN THE INLET AND THE PRESSURE CHAMBER, A BACKFLOW CIRCUIT BY-PASSING THE CHECK VALVE HAVING ITS ENTRANCE OPENING INTO A HIGH POINT IN SAID CHAMBER ABOVE THE LEVEL OF THE OUTLET AND ITS EXIT ARRANGED TO DISCHARGE FLUID BACK TO THE TANK TO VENT FLUID FROM THE PRESSURE CHAMBER, AND A PRESSURE RESPONSIVE PRESSURE RELIEF VALVE CONTROLLING FLOW THROUGH THE BACKFLOW CIRCUIT OPERATIVE TO OPEN WHEN THE PRESSURE IN THE CHAMBER REACHES A PRESELECTED VALUE BELOW FULL PUMP DISCHARGE PRESSURE. 